Djokovic calls Belgian Davis Cup court 'dangerous'

Novak Djokovic calls the clay court being used for Serbia's Davis Cup tie against Belgium dangerous.

A red clay court was installed at Spiroudome de Charleroi over a basketball court.

Djokovic complained on Thursday and organizers were said have worked on the court overnight. The Belgian press reported that the Roland Garros groundskeeper gave the surface approval.

Djokovic was scheduled to play the second singles match on Friday against Olivier Rochus. Viktor Troicki rallied for a five-set win over David Goffin to stake Serbia to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five match tie.

“We are taking extra care about my body because the conditions for play are quite dangerous not only for me and my team, but also for the hosts,” Djokovic wrote on Facebook. “I am certain that clay court had to be better, although I do believe that people from organization did their best. Unfortunately, sometimes that is not enough and now we are all facing a very tough challenge ahead of us — how to avoid getting injured. Health should be everyone’s priority and I am sad that this weekend we will not be able to perform a good quality tennis for the people who looked forward to this tie and bought tickets.”